Kids Bridge Run and Wonderfest combine for afternoon of fun

There will be pony rides at the 2013 Cooper River Bridge Kids Run and Wonderfest.

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The kids run will take place at 5 p.m. April 5.

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The Dudes will be one of many groups performing at the 2013 Kids Cooper River Bridge Run and Wonderfest.

Julian Smith, executive director of the Cooper River Bridge Run, announces that the newly combined Cooper River Bridge Run 2013 Kids Run and Wonderfest event is set for Friday, April 5, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Hampton Park in Charleston, the day before the 36th Annual Cooper River Bridge Run.

The event is a free family festival expected to draw thousands of children and families from across the Lowcountry and beyond for a full day of live entertainment, endless activities, a toy play zone, a monster mobile game theater and much more. The Lowcountry’s most celebrated child philanthropists, entertainers and entrepreneurs will showcase their talents. T-Bone will entertain kids with a race warm up show at 4 p.m. to lead up to the main event, the Kids Run one mile race around the park at 5 p.m.

Event sponsor Bi-Lo is providing free hotdogs, snacks and water. Every child in attendance will receive a free toy from Wonder Works and “crazy hair.” Every child registered for the Kids Run will receive a medal, an official 2013 Kids Run & Wonderfest t-shirt and the first ever Kids Run coloring book. Free parking is available at Stoney Field.

Race registration for children 0-13 is $8 or $10 after April 3. Paid registration includes a T-shirt and race number. Children may race for free without a T-shirt. Adult registration is $12 and includes a Kids Run shirt and race number. Race participants can register by mail using the printable entry form found in Cooper River Bridge Run pamphlet or calendar by April 2; online at www.bridgerun.com by April 2, 2013; in person at the Cooper River Bridge Run Store (located at 716 S Shelmore Blvd Suite 105, Mount Pleasant, SC, 29464) by April 3; or at the Kids Run and Wonderfest on April 5 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Race participants may pick up their packets on April 4 from noon to 8 p.m. at the Cooper River Bridge Run Expo at the Charleston Area Convention Center or at the Kids Run and Wonderfest on April 5.

Smith combined efforts with Christine Osborne, owner of Wonder Works toy stores, to create what he says will become “the largest interactive free family fun festival in the nation.” For the past two years Osborne hosted an annual event called Wonderfest, which provided thousands of families with a full day of free fun to celebrate the talent of children in the Lowcountry while supporting several children’s charities.

“It was a natural fit for Wonderfest to be a part of the Kids Run,” said Smith. “Christine (Osborne) is so connected to our community’s child entrepreneurs, philanthropists and entertainers. I was blown away by the work of these amazing children. They are the heart of Wonderfest.”

“Julian is such a visionary,” said Osborne. “We’ve got so many surprises planned; it’s going to be an incredible day.”

The 2013 Kids Run and Wonderfest will offer free activities including mad science, pony rides, obstacle courses, a rock climbing wall, a mechanical bull, jumpy castles and dozens of hands-on activity stations. The Monster Mobile Game Theater will be broadcasting Wii Fit and Zumba on three 55-inch screens entertaining 12 children simultaneously. The event will feature child inventors and their products, the hottest national toy companies and also benefits five local children’s charities.

The designated charity tent will offer free face painting, caricature drawings, glitter tattoos and more to all kids in attendance. With each activity, guests will have the option to donate to one of five Charleston area charities including Keys For Hope, Hugs For Harper, Happy Wheels, Abby’s Friends and MUSC Children’s Hospital.

For more information on the Cooper River Bridge Run Kids Run & Wonderfest, visit www.bridgerun.com.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to accompany kids in all events. If accompanied, or properly prepared, younger children may participate in the longer events.

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